Repairs of Braintree High grandstand underway

Tuesday

Mayor Joseph Sullivan said he hopes the work will be completed in time for the Oct. 6th varsity football game.

BRAINTREE – Work has begun to fix the structural problems with the home grandstand at Braintree High School’s football field, Mayor Joseph Sullivan said.

Sullivan told the school committee Monday night the work should take 12 to 14 days, and he hopes it will be completed in time for the school’s Oct. 6 home football game against Brookline.

If the work is not completed in time, the back-up date is Oct. 14th. The mayor said he has authorized weekend work in order to be ready for the earlier game.

“I plan to be in the stands on October 6th,” said Sullivan.

The stands were closed on Aug. 25 after the structural problems were found during a routine inspection of the seating area.

Sullivan said that two of the columns which support the grandstand were badly deteriorated.

The repair plan, which was recommended by a structural engineer, involves reinforcing the existing columns and installing some new bracing. Sullivan said the project would cost $56,000 and the money would come out of the current town budget.

The football team played its home opener earlier this month at Archbishop Williams Memorial Field. The private school has offered the high school the use of the facility until repairs are completed.

The mayor said feels the team should have a true home game.

“I think it’s important that seniors have an opportunity to play on their home field,” he said.

The games on Oct. 6 and 14th are the school’s last two home football games of the season.

The stadium is used for other sports, including soccer games and track meets. Those events have remained at the stadium, with spectators sitting in the stands on the visitors’ side.

Sullivan said the town acted out of an abundance of caution in dealing with the situation.

He said there is some additionalmore work that can be done in the spring to reinforce the structure at an additional cost of $60,000.